[Chinese-to-English translations provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

“Chinese companies in Zimbabwe accused of abusing local labour”, 20 Nov 2024

Tensions are growing between Zimbabwean miners and their Chinese employers. Workers accuse Chinese companies of harsh exploitations, including low wages, unsafe working conditions, and uninhabitable housing conditions. They also allege that the mining activities cause environmental damages.

Hwange Coal Mine

Hwange Coal Mine is a Zimbabwean coal mining company currently under receivership, mainly due to criticisms of the working conditions for its employees, especially those working for Chinese contractor Zhong Jian Investment... Japhet Lupahla, former chairman of the Zhong Jian Investment Miners' Committee, paid the price for defending workers' rights. He was forced to leave his job at the mine in November last year after four years of service... Rupahela described his experience with Chinese security guards: "The Chinese security guards, armed with flashlights and guns, forced us out of the vehicle and conducted intrusive searches, including checking our bags and conducting body searches."...

Sibongile Mhindu, a human resources representative of Zhong Jian Investment, defended the company, saying they followed all regulations...

Detroop Gold Mine

The Detroop mine is located in the Makonde district, about 170 km northwest of Harare, and operates along the Angwa River in the jurisdiction of Chief Magonde. The gold mine is operated by the Chinese company Jiangxi Risheng Mining Company and has been in operations since 2014, employing nearly 300 workers. The allegations against the company include paying substandard wages, providing inadequate housing (shacks), poor working conditions, and lack of basic sanitation facilities, including toilets and water supply...

The mine's manager Max Carlos Bento admits to the allegations, but attributed them to production challenges. He said: "Some of the houses where the workers live are really unfit for habitation. I have brought all my grievances to the company's top management, especially regarding housing improvements and wage increases. They promised to address them, but the mine's low production is the main obstacle...

Bikita Mine

An employee at the Bikita Minerals [acquired by Sinomine in 2022] described the mine as a threat to the lives of workers and nearby residents: "The mine is now operating on the side of the mountain just 20 meters from our homes and the village of Masarasara. Residents are asked to evacuate their homes when blasting is happening because the dust is dangerous."... In addition, he criticized the company for failing to share the benefits of the mine's increased production with employees or the local community: "The mine has seen a significant increase in production, but the workers and the community have not seen any benefits. "...He also pointed out that medical support is clearly declining under the new Chinese management...The employee also expressed dissatisfaction with the unstable employment situation, saying: "We are signed on short-term contracts, usually only for one month each time, with no job security at all. Moreover, many people have been working under such contracts for more than two years."

VOA contacted Hilton Chimura, the human resources manager of Bikita Minerals, through WhatsApp...but received no response...